11 Nonprofits That Help Kids

Shonda Rhimes herself is a big supporter of foster parents and the many ways a family can come to be. Together We Rise improves the lives of children in foster care by working with hundreds of partners to bring programs to foster youth across the nation. Even more impressive, the foundation provides thousands of foster youth with new bikes, college supplies, and “sweet cases,” which are duffel bags filled with all the necessities, from toothbrushes to a stuffed animal, ensuring that children don’t have to carry their belongings from home to home in a trash bag. The nonprofit is also responsible for the largest college scholarship available for those aging out of the foster care program.

For book lovers, a great place to dedicate your time, funds, or beloved books is Book Fairies. The nonprofit collects and distributes new and gently used books to under-resourced and low-income communities in New York City. Their goal is to inspire a love for reading and to directly impact literacy rates and academic success by increasing access to books. Choose to upcycle books of your own or make a financial contribution so that the organization can expand their libraries and reach.

GLSEN, or Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is leading the conversation and efforts in ensuring that schools are safe for all students. The national nonprofit is reenvisioning a world where every child is taught to respect and accept all people — regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression — from an early age. GLSEN seeks to do this by developing anti-bullying educational programs for schools where kids are taught that differences are valuable, contributing to a more vibrant and diverse community.

Have you benefited from mentoring or would like to mentor others? Big Brothers/Big Sisters, which was established in 1904, creates meaningful matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”) from ages 6 to 18 in neighborhoods and communities across the country. They give volunteers the tools to kick-start positive relationships that encourage long-lasting effects in young people.

For those invested in special education, the Council for Exceptional Children is the nonprofit that will surely inspire you. The organization provides education tailored for children who have behavioral disorders or learning, developmental, or visual disabilities — in addition to supporting those who teach this underserved community. Their goal is to improve educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities internationally through volunteering, policy changes, online resources, and more.

According to Feeding America, more than 13 million children in the United States are food insecure, meaning they don’t have the financial means to eat three meals a day. Food is vital for health and development, especially for young children, and Move for Hunger’s goal is to meet their needs. With the charity’s help, you can organize or participate in food drives across the nation. If you’re more inclined to help behind the scenes, the organization also offers a fresh-food program where they bring healthy foods to food banks across the nation.

Aspira is the Spanish word for aspire, which is fitting for Aspira Association, one of the leading national Hispanic organizations dedicated to developing education and leadership opportunities exclusively for Hispanic youth. The children’s charity has been working at the grassroots level since 1961 to provide programming that encourages Hispanic students to stay in school and prepares them to succeed in the educational arena and beyond.

If you feel strongly about health care, Child Care Aware of America could be a great organization to support. They provide high-quality, affordable health care for children through more than 400 childcare resources and referral agencies. For those who serve in the military or know families who do, CCAOA also provides childcare assistance for military families through fee-assistance and respite childcare programs.

The science behind playing is abundant: It helps children develop and refine social skills, motor skills, and literacy. If you’re passionate about furthering youth education through play, a wonderful way to support this cause is through the support of children’s museums. The Association of Children’s Museums is a network of members and educators across 20 countries elevating children’s museums and the collective knowledge that goes into them.

Every child deserves a safe place to live. Prevent Child Abuse America is hyper-focused on altering the way our country thinks about abuse prevention. They operate through community activities supported by science and by advocating for public policies that prioritize protecting children before any harm even occurs, ensuring child abuse and neglect never takes place in the first place. They are also committed to the healthy development of children nationwide because what a child experiences at a young age can have a lasting impact well into adulthood.

The National Center for Children in Poverty is dedicated to helping families receive financial support to put their children first by working directly with them both locally and nationally. The nonprofit also researches and educates on issues that contribute to child poverty, then advocates for policy changes that promote and foster economically secure and healthy families. Here’s to positive outcomes for future generations.

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Mia Brabham is a staff writer at Shondaland. Follow her on Twitter at @hotmessmia.

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